Vale Frank Speechley

The Newtown RLFC notes with
regret the recent passing of Frank Speechley - a former player, committee
member, Life Member, Henson Park ground announcer and lifelong supporter of the
Newtown Rugby League Football Club.

Frank played in the
competition rounds with the 1943 first grade team that won the premiership that
year, although he did not play in the Grand Final team.

He is in the official team
photo of that 1943 premiership-winning team, along with other Newtown club
Titans such as Frank "Bumper" Farrell, Len Smith, Charles "Chicka" Cahill, Herb
Narvo, Paddy Bugden, Norm Jacobson, Sid Goodwin and others.

Frank remained a loyal
Bluebags and Jets supporter up until the time of his death, and he was a very
proud attendee at the Newtown RLFC 100th birthday celebrations held at the
Newtown Town Hall on the 8th January, 2008.

He was still a regular at
Newtown Jets home games up until about two years ago when ill health prevented
his continued attendance.

Frank and his wife
Kathleen lived in the same home in Frampton Avenue, Marrickville from 1941 to
2008 - and naturally the house was in close proximity to his old home ground,
Henson Park. Kathleen pre-deceased her husband by two
years.

The Newtown RLFC extends
sincere condolences to his family members and says farewell to the man who was
the last remaining link with that famous first grade premiership-winning team of
67 years ago.